We enjoy the feels as we go all-out on track with Ferrari's latest special series Supercar, the F80
Please don’t say “no” if you’re lucky enough to be in a position to be allocated a Ferrari F80.
This is the brand’s latest special series “Supercar” (in Ferrari’s vernacular, this is a category, not a noun) hypercar, which joins past luminaries like the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, LaFerrari and LaFerrari Aperta.
True to the special series form, F80 allocation is by invitation only, with just 799 units produced in total. It isn’t just the simple matter of tallying up how many Ferraris you’ve owned, because even the models you’ve owned (or currently own) are considered.
(Click HERE to read our First Drive Review of the Ferrari F80)
Moreover, it isn’t as clear-cut as simply owning the cars. Ferrari wants to see if you’re one of those reclusive owners whose Ferraris are relegated to garage queen status, or whether you actively participate in official Ferrari activities, or perhaps, in its Corse Clienti racing programmes.
The F80 isn’t likely to be anyone’s “My First Ferrari” by any stretch of the imagination, so this writer can’t see the hang-up over its hybridised V6 powerplant, especially since the odds of such collector-owners maintaining a roster of special Ferraris (including V12s) is relatively high.
Besides, if it’s 12-cylinder jollies you’re really after, you can always look towards the 12Cilindri or the coveted and very emotional Icona series of SP models. Ultimately, it is in keeping with the brand’s holistic “Ferrari for every Ferrarista and for every occasion” approach to its product range.
The F80 and its ilk are designed to reflect the brand’s motorsports zeitgeist. Both F1 and the WEC race series currently see service of hybridised turbo’d V6 engines, with the 499P taking top honours in the latter over consecutive years at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The F80 may be engineered to terrorise track tarmac, but it is perfectly pliant on the roads too.
In the flesh, there’s a powerful presence to the F80, with the proceedings dominated by the familiar “black mask” strip across its front – we like this throwback to the 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” – which is reminiscent of the 12Cilindri and now, the recently launched 849 Testarossa.
Built on a bespoke chassis, the F80’s active suspension is mounted directly to the carbonfibre tub.
Featuring advanced electronic drive control systems, this veritable road-legal racecar bristles with tense, track-ready intent, as its shape and design are sculpted by the science of speed.
Nothing is superfluous or for the sake of vanity, as its aesthetic elements are intended to optimise aerodynamics, as well as cooling efficiency. It looks mighty slippery to cut a path through the air, but when you’re pushing hard on track, the rear wing rises for maximum downforce, which forges an even closer link in appearance to the world of motorsports.
We’re talking 1,050kg of downforce at 250km/h, thanks to the combined efforts of the active rear wing, a 1,800mm long rear diffuser, flat underbody, front triplane wing and S-Duct. Despite its taut, race-ready looks and fearsome performance credentials, the F80 can be road-registered, which is in keeping with the tradition of the brand’s “Supercars”.
In fact, after traversing almost 200km on the winding roads around the Misano race-track, the F80 proves remarkably tractable on the road and even in start-stop traffic, so it is possible to drive the beast to the track, tackle the track, then drive home again without breaking a sweat!
From the driver’s position, it is all business with plenty of Alcantara and carbonfibre, with a race harness and bucket seat holding you snugly in place as you work on your PB (personal best) track timing.
Its compact rectangular steering wheel (with flattened top and bottom) could have been transplanted from Ferrari’s WEC race cars. It is a marvel of ergonomics and adds to the F80’s driving theatrics, especially with physical controls replacing the haptic controls.
The F80 features a novel “1+” cabin (the cockpit is narrower for aerodynamics and weight savings), which allows you to carry a passenger, even if it is more of a padded space than an actual seat. Strapped in, the front passenger is snugly immobile and properly prepped for the high-g shenanigans to come.
The F80 fires up with an almighty whoosh before settling into a steady thrum, with little warning as to the ultraviolence that is to come. Save for the pitter-patter of ground grit and gristle that permeates the cabin, there’s little fanfare at low speeds as this writer eases the F80 out of the pit area and onto the track.
The F80 isn’t just another desensitised fast car, but a seriously fun one. The F80’s controls are tactile, organic and deliver big on the feels, with plenty of communication from the steering wheel and seat of pants to give you ample confidence to take outrageous liberties with it.
On the prowl, you catch glimpses of the apex predator that is lurking in the shadows — just waiting to be unleashed by your right foot. Pedal to the metal, the F80’s lag-free acceleration is of the eye-watering variety, and trust me, you’ll want to keep your peepers open, because you certainly don’t want to miss a thing!
At full pelt, the sound field in the cabin whirls, swirls and envelopes the driver in righteous fury, which is punctuated by satisfyingly strident up and down shifts.
Corners arrive between one hastily gulped breath to the next, and you quickly appreciate the potent intensity of the spell woven by Ferrari’s masters of the dark arts that are vehicle dynamics.
You brake later, harder and far deeper while carrying high speeds (and G-forces) into each corner than you would have thought possible, with the combination of aero, chassis and powertrain singing in perfect pitch to hit all the high notes for any serious driving enthusiast.
With a mighty 1,200hp and over 850Nm from the combination of twin-turbo’d V6 and dual motor’d electric front axle set-up, you’ll thank your lucky stars the F80 is all-wheel driven. Thankfully, its performance is far more beastly than benign, with a frightening elasticity to its acceleration to 280km/h and beyond.
The F80’s acceleration may impress the pub boors and those who think such cars are only about the top speed, but this is the least of its abilities. Wielding this otherworldly pace in anger, in concert with its razor-sharp handling, the F80 is not only eminently adjustable when the going gets fast, but it can also snap corners out of existence as you bend it to your will in your quest for ever-faster lap times.
Ferrari never has to talk up its special series cars — the true believers orchestrate this through word-of-mouth — with the scratchy white noise in the background mainly coming from people who can’t get one, or can’t afford one.
At first glance, the F80 appears to be one-dimensional with its race-ready raison d'être. However, it is only after spending meaningful time with the F80 that you slowly peel away its tough, track facade to discover the beauty hiding within the beast.
Ferrari F80
Engine: 2,992cc, V6, twin-turbo, electric motor, 800V
Power at rpm: 900hp at 8750rpm
Torque at rpm: 850Nm at 5500rpm
Front axle electric motor: 105kW for each of the two electric motors; 121Nm (peak torque)
Rear axle electric motor: 70kW (regenerative braking:), 60kW (ICE assist), 45Nm (peak torque)
System power: 1,200hp
Transmission: 8-speed F1 DCT dual clutch
0–100km/h: 2.15 secs
Top speed: 350km/h
Fuel consumption: 13.5l/100km
CO2: 307g/km
